Road-right-of-way problems were cited by City Hall as a main factor in the delay of finishing about half of Cebu City’s infrastructure projects, some dating back to 2010.
The Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) assured auditors that they are monitoring the progress.
In his reply to an Audit Observation Memorandum issued by the Commission on Audit (COA), Cebu City Engr. Jose Marie Poblete said some projects funded by budgets as far back as 2010 and 2012, were delayed due to several reasons.
He said the major reason is right-of-way (ROW) problems in the site. Poblete said barangay officials whose areas were covered by the projects promised to settle ROW problems.
Contract termination
“However, during implementation, some ROW problems would take time to resolve while some others were not really resolved as in the case of Basak-San Nicolas Creek, resulting in mutual contract termination,” Poblete said.
In a Jan. 27 Audit Observation Memo, state auditor Ma. Daisy Bercede said only 48 projects worth P228.6 million were implemented out of 93 infrastructure projects worth P629.4 million in the city.
Bercede said documents showed no evidence that the Local Development Council of Cebu City coordinated, monitored and evaluated the implementation of these projects with the DEPW.
“We recommend that management fast track the implementation of suspended and ongoing infrastructure projects (so they can be completed),” Bercede wrote.
These projects were taken from continuing appropriations like the 2009 supplemental budget (SB) No. 8, 2010 SB No. 5, 2011 approved budget, 2011 annual investment plan, 2012 approved budget, 2012 annual investment plan and trust fund.
Other reasons cited by Poblete were unfavorable site or working conditions, overlapping or duplication of projects, difficulty in the delivery of materials to the project site, and the contractor’s failure to provide labor, materials and equipment required for the project.
“In all cases of delays caused by the contractor which are unjustified, this Office also will not hesitate to impose liquidated damages or, even recommend to the mayor for contract termination, when warranted,” Poblete said.